Guys I talked with one of the Ducati techs today and he said they talked about the smoke in Panigale training...

Because of the exhaust air pump system the system will burn any unspent fuel or oil in the chambers or in the pipe on start-up.

He's saying all of these bikes will smoke on start-up and it's normal. That is the word from Ducati tech training.

I don't like that one bit.

Here's the text about the exhaust air system from the website:

After achieving the goal of improving engine "breathing", the Superquadro engineers turned their attention to the next challenge: to attain an engine calibration that optimally combines the high-performance delivery with regular operation achieved by reducing the cyclic dispersion of combustion. To obtain this, Ducati introduced a system of secondary air that completes oxidisation of the unburnt hydrocarbons, effectively reducing the levels of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide (CO). The system is controlled by an electronic valve commanded by the engine control unit and is activated according to the specific condition of engine operation. This valve makes it possible to let in the exhaust pipe of each cylinder head (in a position slightly downstream of the exhaust valve) a flow of clean air originating directly from the airbox. A second reed valve located in the engine head makes this flow unidirectional. The controlled inlet of oxygen makes it possible to complete the combustion of outgoing hot gases, eliminating eventual fractions of unburnt fuel which in certain conditions can reach the exhaust.

Thanks, bulldog. Secondary air systems are not new and no other vehicle I've owned with one ever smoked on startup. As far as I know secondary air systems are for emissions purposes (the system heats up the CAT). Burning a bunch of oil is definitely the opposite of what a secondary air system is supposed to achieve.

Thanks, bulldog. Secondary air systems are not new and no other vehicle I've owned with one ever smoked on startup. As far as I know secondary air systems are for emissions purposes (the system heats up the CAT). Burning a bunch of oil is definitely the opposite of what a secondary air system is supposed to achieve.

It would be easy enough to find out; just unhook the air hoses to the exhaust system and see if it still smokes...

AIR systems are supposed to get rid of hydrocarbon emission from raw fuel exiting the exhaust system.
I used to think it was just a ploy to lower the PPM count so that an engine can meet the regulation. I'm not so sure that's still not part of the plan.

I completely agree with you but that's the BS they gave to the techs...

I'm not sure I want a bike that smokes on start-up - especially if they say it's normal.

....... Because of the exhaust air pump system the system will burn any unspent fuel or oil in the chambers or in the pipe on startup.

There are a few explanations that I would accept, though that's not one of them. I call that total BS!

There is no reason for oil to be in the chambers unless the valve seals are leaking.

I hope the tech you spoke with didn't understand the italian translation and that they were actually talking about the "MotoGP style crank case pump". Even that would need to be followed up with an explanation as to why..

New here but I'm guessing Ducati watches this forum. Do they ever respond to issues like this on this forum? Would think it would be good PR before too much speculation builds on their ground-breaking release when the investors are trying to sell the company.

New here but I'm guessing Ducati watches this forum. Do they ever respond to issues like this on this forum? Would think it would be good PR before too much speculation builds on their ground-breaking release when the investors are trying to sell the company.

One would think that this would be the case, but I've never seen an official Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. Or even a Ducati North America post. Usually only hear from dealers who monitor this forum.

If enough dealers hit up Ducati for an explanation, we might get an official announcement form Ducati. That is IF they have a good logical reason....